Artwork

Portrait of Hugo du Bois, Director of the Rotterdam Chamber of the Dutch East India Company, elected 1734

Portrait of Hugo du Bois, Director of the Rotterdam Chamber of the Dutch East India Company, elected 1734 is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Dionys van Nijmegen. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

The oil painting, executed around 1750 by Dutch artist Dionys van Nijmegen, portrays Hugo du Bois, who served as director of the Rotterdam Chamber of the Dutch East India Company after his election in 1734. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

Hugo du Bois is presented as a dignified figure, his white curls and solemn expression underscoring his status. The attire—a brown coat trimmed with gold buttons and a white cravat—signals his wealth and official position within the mercantile enterprise of the 18th‑century Netherlands.

Technique & Style

Van Nijmegen employs chiaroscuro to model du Bois’s face, using subtle gradations of light and shadow that give the portrait a three‑dimensional presence. The contrast between the illuminated figure and the dark, unadorned background focuses attention on the sitter’s features and attire.

History & Provenance

Since its creation, the portrait has remained in the Netherlands and is now housed in the Rijksmuseum, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s representation of Dutch portraiture from the mid‑18th century.